Abstract: J27.00006 : Measurements of the Tensile Strength of Nano-scale Water Columns*

Authors:

Corey Stambaugh(Seoul National University)

Manhee Lee(Seoul National University)

Wonho Jhe(Seoul National University)

When an AFM tip is approached to a flat surface a nano-scale
water capillary
spontaneously forms between tip and surface. Under such
conditions water,
which is normally a viscous material, has been shown to possess
visco-elastic properties. In past experiments, the AFM was
operated in the
amplitude modulation mode. Changes in the oscillation amplitude
were related
to the gradient of the interaction force which resulted from the
nano-scale
water capillary. In this experiment, the movable top plate of a
micro-mechanical force sensor is used as the flat surface
providing a direct
measurement of the waters interaction force. By adjusting the
distance
between the cantilever and the micro-mechanical force sensor the
nano-scale
water column is stretched. The response of the AFM and of the
micro-mechanical force sensor provides a simultaneous measurement
of the
elasticity and force of the nano-scale water column. The
measurements are
made under a variety of environmental conditions and the results are
compared to theory.

*Work supported by NSF grant \#OISE-0853104.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.MAR.J27.6